MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Indiana University Southeast fell 6–2 and 7-5 to Faulkner on Friday, undone by early defensive miscues and a steady Eagles offense that capitalized in key moments.
In game one, Faulkner struck first in the opening inning when Dariel Colón manufactured a run on the bases, stealing second and eventually scoring on a pair of errors in center field. The Grenadiers responded quickly in the top of the second when
Kevin Moore scored on an infield RBI single from
Bryson Arnette, tying the game at 1–1.
Faulkner answered immediately in the bottom half with an RBI single from Orlando Arellano, followed by a two-run homer to right field by Jeyson Polanco, pushing the Eagles ahead 4–1. Another RBI single in the fourth and an unearned run in the fifth extended the deficit to 6–1.
Indiana Southeast continued to compete, and
Kasen Parks sparked a late push in the seventh inning with a leadoff hit that set up
Coulter Hamilton's RBI double to left-center, bringing the score to 6-2.
Kevin Moore was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
In game two, the Grenadiers started off strong, scoring first in the second inning when
Kemper Whisman ripped an RBI double to right, scoring
Kannon Stull for a 1–0 lead. The Grenadiers added another run in the third when
Bryson Arnette hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring
Kasen Parks to make it 2–0.
Faulkner answered in the fourth with a solo homer from Jordan Carter, and then seized control in a huge fifth inning. A fielding error allowed the tying run to score, followed by a bunt RBI single from Shaun Bridges, followed by a three-run homer to right by Jeyson Polanco, pushing the Eagles ahead 6–2.
IU Southeast punched back in the sixth when
Konnor Scheidt launched a two-run homer to left-center, scoring
Matt Santana and trimming the deficit to 6–4. But Faulkner responded immediately with an RBI double from Anthony Basset Torres in the bottom half, restoring a three-run cushion.
The Grenadiers kept fighting into the ninth with a single to right by
Matt Santana to score
Kevin Moore, bringing the tying run to the plate, but Faulkner closed the door to secure the 7–5 final.
Matt Santana was 3-for-5 with a run scored and a RBI.
Konnor Scheidt was 2-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI.
The Grenadiers will be back in action on Saturday, February 21 against Faulkner University at 1 & 3 pm ET.
